WSSC Water Issues Recreational Water Contact Health Advisory for T. Howard Duckett Reservoir

Laurel, Md. – August 16, 2023 – WSSC Water has detected high concentrations of blue-green algae, known as a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB), in the T. Howard Duckett Reservoir. These HABs can cause adverse health effects. The reservoir, located along the Patuxent River in Montgomery, Prince George’s and Howard counties, serves as a drinking water source for WSSC Water and a recreational area for hiking, fishing and boating.

The on-going Health Advisory for the Triadelphia Reservoir remains in effect. 

WSSC Water’s drinking water is not affected and continues to meet all Safe Drinking Water Act standards. As a precaution, WSSC Water is closely monitoring water quality conditions at its Patuxent Water Filtration Plant. 

Visitors to WSSC Water’s T. Howard Duckett Reservoir should do the following: 

• Avoid all recreational water contact. If water contact occurs, rinse off immediately with clean water. 
• Do not allow pets to swim in or drink the water (prohibited at all times by WSSC Water watershed regulations). 
• Do not consume fish livers or digestive organs from fish caught in the reservoir. If you catch a fish in the reservoir, wash the filets thoroughly with drinking water. 
• Signs will be posted throughout the reservoir’s recreational areas to inform visitors of this water contact health advisory. 

If you, your pet, or someone you know has come in contact with or ingested water at the reservoir, call your local health department: 

• Montgomery County: 240-777-0311 (Montgomery County 311) 
• Prince George’s County: 301-883-4748 (Prince George’s County 311) 
• Howard County: 410-313-1773 (Community Hygiene Department) 

Water quality monitoring is occurring weekly. When the concentration levels decrease below the advisory thresholds, an alert will be posted at wsscwater.com. 

For more information on algal blooms, visit WSSC Water’s Algal Blooms page.